Portsmouth vs West Bromwich Albion Predictions

Portsmouth vs West Bromwich Albion Predictions for this Championship affair. West Brom have started the EFL Championship strongly but face a challenging test away at Portsmouth after the international break, where both teams will be keen to maintain their early-season momentum. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Championship | Sep 15, 2024 at 3:00pm UK at Fratton Park

Portsmouth vs West Bromwich Albion Predictions

Can West Brom Overcome Portsmouth’s Resilience in Their Promotion Push?

• Josh Maja’s hot form on the road: The West Brom forward has been in electrifying form this season, particularly in away matches. He has already netted four goals in just two away games, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure and deliver for his team on the road.
• Portsmouth’s defensive vulnerabilities at home: Portsmouth have conceded in 10 of their last 12 home matches, underlining their defensive struggles at Fratton Park. Their inability to keep clean sheets at home could be a decisive factor in this game, especially against a potent West Brom attack.
• High corner count trends for Portsmouth: Portsmouth’s games this season have been corner-heavy, with most matches surpassing 10 corners. This trend suggests that set-piece opportunities could play a significant role in the match against West Brom, who also frequently rack up corners due to their attacking style.

Best Bet

As Portsmouth prepare to welcome West Bromwich Albion to Fratton Park, both teams have plenty to prove in the Championship’s early stages. West Brom have had a near-perfect start to their campaign, sitting high in the table with three wins and a draw from their opening four matches. Carlos Corberán’s side are setting their sights on automatic promotion after narrowly missing out last season. However, a trip to face Portsmouth will be no easy task.

Portsmouth, fresh off promotion from League One, have shown early resilience, with their standout result a thrilling 3-3 draw against Leeds United. However, their form has been inconsistent, with draws against Luton and Middlesbrough followed by a defeat at the hands of Sunderland. With the home crowd behind them, Portsmouth will be eager to bounce back, but they’ll have to contend with a West Brom side in strong form. This encounter is poised to be a highly competitive affair, with goals likely to be a key feature of the game.

The standout betting prediction for this clash is for Both Teams to Score (BTTS). This option stands out based on the recent performances of both sides, and there are several key reasons why this is the best bet.

Firstly, Portsmouth’s defensive vulnerabilities have been on display in their recent matches. Their last home game saw them concede three goals to Sunderland, a team that capitalised on poor clearances and defensive lapses. In fact, Portsmouth have conceded in 10 of their last 12 home league games, showing that keeping a clean sheet at Fratton Park has been a challenge. This pattern suggests that Portsmouth are likely to concede again against a West Brom side brimming with attacking confidence.

On the other side of the pitch, West Brom have been clinical in front of goal, particularly away from home. Josh Maja has been a standout performer, scoring four goals in their two away league matches this season. The Baggies’ 3-1 and 2-1 victories on the road highlight their ability to find the net, even when faced with tough opposition. Maja’s form, combined with the creativity from players like Karlan Grant and Jayson Molumby, ensures that West Brom will pose a significant attacking threat.

Additionally, West Brom’s defence hasn’t been impenetrable despite their solid form. They have conceded in nine of their last 10 Championship away fixtures, which indicates that Portsmouth, who have attacking talents like Callum Lang, could find a way through. Lang, though without a goal since his brace against Leeds, remains a dangerous option for Portsmouth, especially at home.

Given that both sides have a history of high-scoring encounters, with recent stats supporting goals at both ends, backing BTTS seems like a logical approach. Even though West Brom are in better form, Portsmouth’s ability to score in front of their home fans should not be underestimated.

“With both teams displaying attacking quality and defensive frailties, it’s hard to see either side keeping a clean sheet. Both teams to score looks like a solid prediction based on recent form and performances,” says BettingTips4You.com expert Steve Harrington.

Additional Prediction

For a secondary prediction, over 10.5 corners offers value. Both teams have been involved in matches that generate a high number of set pieces, particularly corners. Portsmouth’s matches, especially at Fratton Park, have seen a consistent trend of corners. In fact, only one of their games this season has failed to hit double digits for corner kicks.

On the West Brom side, their attacking approach often leads to corners, with the Baggies averaging 4.8 corners per game. Their ability to create pressure in the opposition’s final third, especially through wing play and set pieces, makes a high corner count likely. Combining Portsmouth’s defensive lapses, which frequently lead to corners, and West Brom’s attacking prowess, a bet on over 10.5 corners looks promising.

This prediction aligns with how both teams have played this season, and with the stakes high in this match, we can expect plenty of goalmouth action and, consequently, corner kicks.

Correct Score Prediction: Portsmouth 1-2 West Bromwich Albion

Looking at how this game is likely to unfold, the correct score prediction of 2-1 in favour of West Brom seems reasonable. The Baggies have shown they can score away from home, but their defence has been breached in most of their recent away fixtures, suggesting Portsmouth will find the net as well.

West Brom’s ability to manage games under Corberán, combined with the attacking threat of Maja and Grant, suggests they will have too much firepower for Portsmouth, even at Fratton Park. While Portsmouth’s attacking players like Callum Lang and Silvera could trouble the Baggies’ defence, West Brom’s overall quality should see them edge the contest.

The fact that West Brom have won their last two away matches by scoring at least two goals further supports this prediction. Given Portsmouth’s defensive struggles, particularly at home, a 2-1 victory for the visitors fits the narrative of the game and complements the best bet prediction of both teams scoring.

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